Access to primary care (GP data) is a huge part of why the Dorset Care Record is so important to health and social care users. Since we began nearly three years ago, the DCR has accessed GP information through the Medical Interoperability Gateway (MIG) – a secure technology which enables the two-way exchange of patient information.
NHS Digital has been keen to push the interoperability agenda further, and has created GP Connect standards, ensuring better enabling primary care information can be shared between the NHS and local authorities.We are introducing GP Connect across Dorset’s primary care network on the evening of 3 March. There are several benefits, which have been identified. These include:
- Richer information with more detailed notes and readings
- A broader level of information being exchanged
- New information will continually be added as the GP Connect standard is evolving.
Added together, these will help provide a far more cohesive and safer patient experience.
Partners have said the introduction of GP Connect will help a range of staff. For example, Dorset HealthCare report it will help its mental health staff cohort. The data from GP Connect contains more information so an enriched record will be a selling point to mental health team.
Dorset County Hospital says probable medium to long-term benefits will be related to accessibility of information and the ability to use that data to inform the pathways being developed within DCR.
The presentation of this information is going to be different. Information will now be shown in the clinical document viewer under the Summary tab rather than under the GP tab. The different location will be clearly signposted as part of this change and we will have a video to showcase what is available.
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